Coaching Aid for Golf

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods providing statistical analytics of golf performance for coaching including text, tabular, graphic, and image-based outputs that include trends information for the golfer, all based upon actual golf play on course situations, wherein the golfer inputs shot data during play, without interrupting the flow of the game, and uploads the shot data for analytics and review online, and wherein all information related to a given user are reviewable by an authorized coach user through a web-based coach access account. The system is further operable to provide the coach user rights for providing corrective or instructive feedback to the user, including visual recommendations such as modified target areas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/079,086, filed Mar. 24, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/265,218, filed Apr. 29, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,295,895, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.12/012,942, filed Feb. 6, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,841, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/899,914, filedFeb. 7, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/265,218 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/012,943, filed Feb.6, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/899,913, filed Feb. 7, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/265,218 is alsoa continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/501,106, filedJul. 10, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/134,670, filed Jul. 12, 2008, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods fortracking and improving golf performance using statistical analysis ofactual performance versus targets.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior art diagrammatic views of golf performance are known, specificallydirectional and distance information is known to be generated based upona golfer's performance on a specific course of play. Also, generally,golf performance statistical programs are known, in particular for usingGPS coordinates for tracking shot distances from a starting point, suchas a tee, to an end point, such as the hole on the green of a golfcourse. However, detailed analytics that are specific to courseconditions, historical play and trends, targets, and multiple playerstatuses have not been included. Thus there remains a need for systemsand methods that provide for improved statistical analytics of golfperformance that includes image-based outputs. Moreover, there remains aneed for a portable, printed pocket-sized version of shot performancefor an individual golfer based upon a specific club and golf coursesituations, past performance and targets, along with statisticallikelihood for present performance under the same or similar conditions.

Additionally, traditional coaching is typically provided during livesessions in a one-on-one or in a group settings, or through interactiveplay simulations, wherein a coach can review the live performance of thestudent(s). There is a lack of capacity to track, monitor, and provideguidance based on play on natural course conditions. Thus there remainsa need for systems and methods that provide for improved statisticalanalytics of golf performance and that include graphic and image-basedoutputs based on golfer trends upon actual golf play on coursesituations, wherein the golf play is reviewable by a coach or teacherfor third party student(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the interactive golfing system includes aportable device operable for communication through a network to at leastone remote computing device, wherein a user inputs, during and/or beforea round of play, shot, setting and target information which iscommunicable to the remote device(s). Further, the inputs may include orcorrelate to GPS information and be stored in a local and/or remotehistorical database, the inputs and historical information able to beanalyzed locally and/or remotely.

Aspects of the present invention are to provide golf performanceanalytics, including shot zone diagrams and target analytics, to assistwith identification and understanding of golfer errors and trends sothat adjustments to form, strategy, and ultimately performance can bemade.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide shot zone diagrams in aportable, printed pocket-sized version for individual golfers based uponspecific clubs, target, golf course situations and past performance,along with statistical likelihood for present performance under the sameor similar conditions.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a system for golfperformance analytics wherein a user inputs a series of correspondingstarting points and targets, wherein the statistical analysis includestext, tabular, diagrammatic, and/or image-based outputs.

Another aspect of the invention, is to provide analytics whereby thedirectionality of any shot is to be uniformly and consistently orientedto provide a zeroed-out orientation for each shot, and wherein the shotzone diagrams provide information including targets, trends in theuser's golf performance over a predetermined period, shot misdirectionand corresponding causes related thereto, and/or providing a portableprinted version of past or recommended shot performances for any givengolf club, golf course, or conditions.

In one aspect of the invention an interactive system is provided forinteraction with a third party, e.g., a coach or teacher, who canprovide recommendations, instructive feedback and visual advice such asmodified targets, accessible through the interactive device beforeand/or during golf play. In one aspect of the invention all informationrelated to a given user can be stored locally on the device or remotelyon a server or database, each of which may be accessible through aweb-based account.

Thus, the present invention provides automatic analytics foruser-provided inputs of golf performance over a period of time,including starting points and targets as the user plays a round of golf.Advantageously, compared with prior art, the present invention providesa significant level of detail and customization by the user so that thefeedback or statistical output on golf performance and trends providesnormalized information that is actionable by the user and/or a thirdparty to correct or improve the user's golf game.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art after a reading of the following description ofthe preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as theysupport the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-11 are schematic drawings illustrating diagrammaticrepresentation of golf performance analytics in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12-31 are screenshot images of user interfaces for enteringinformation and viewing analytical outputs according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 32 and 33 show shot zone diagrams for given golf club and selectgolf course locations and/or conditions.

FIG. 34 is a flow diagram illustrating several embodiments of a devicereceiving a target for statistical analysis.

FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram illustrating a computer system for thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like reference characters designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in thefollowing description, it is to be understood that such terms as“forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “back,” “right,” “left,” “upwardly,”“downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to beconstrued as limiting terms. Referring to the drawings in general, theillustrations are provided for the purpose of describing a preferredembodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the inventionthereto.

The present invention provides a system for golf performance analyticsusing a computer system including a mobile computing device forreceiving inputs from a user during golf play. Golf play may includeplaying golf, whether a single shot or a series of shots, on the holesof a golf course, a practice tee, or any other location where a golfermay make at least one golf shot. Golf shots include taking a shot from astarting point towards an optionally designated target, the golf shotresting at a ball location. Typically, in a series of golf shots, theball location becomes the starting point of the subsequent golf shot.Various configurations of the computer system and mobile computingdevice are described infra.

Input Mechanisms.

Users, including golfers, coaches, teachers or another third party,input information related to golf play into the device using at leastone input mechanism, including, but not limited to, a touchscreenincorporated into the graphic user interface (GUI) or display andoperable with a human hand or stylus, functional and activatablecomponents such as keys, buttons or joysticks, on screen keyboards,voice or movement recognition technology, or any other input mechanismsknown to one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the GUI or displayis a touchscreen that is activatable by a user's finger or a stylus toinput information, whether by points, lines, drag-and-drop motions orother styles or uses known in the art. In another embodiment the inputmechanism may be external to the device but connected, either wired orwirelessly, to the device through an input/output controller.

During golf play, at least one user may input information via the atleast one input mechanism. Input information includes informationrelating to making at least one golf shot and course, weather and/oruser conditions. Golf shot information includes at least one startingpoint and, optionally, at least one target, which may be pinpointlocations, multi-dimensional areas, or zones on the fairway, green orother features of a golf play landscape. Each starting point and targetmay be represented by at least one visual representation on the GUI ordisplay. Furthermore, the GUI or display may include additional visualrepresentations such as golf play landscape features and analyticsindicators. In one embodiment the GUI or display may provide interactivefeatures and advertisements, either through the network or frominstructions stored on the mobile device.

Preferably, the mobile device includes global positioning satellite(GPS) functionality, enabling user inputs, through the at least oneinput mechanism, to be combined with at least one GPS coordinate andstored with, or in replacement of, the user input. For example, a userinput of a starting point through the touch of a golf hole visualrepresentation on a touch-interactive screen would be graphicallyrepresented on the screen and stored in memory in combination with a GPScoordinate representing the location of the starting point. While GPScoordinates are not absolutely precise in their representation of aball's starting point position on Earth, the GPS coordinate stored inmemory is itself an absolute and infinitely precise representation of alocation within the mobile device's virtual system, as coordinates thatare zero-dimension, geometric point, locational representations. In oneembodiment of the present invention the GPS coordinates are generatedusing an ASP.NET library for the GPS calculations, for example as withGeo Frameworks. For calculation of distances between two GPS coordinatesusing the ASP.NET library, the Position class is used. Two instances ofPosition class are initiated with longitude and latitude that they getfrom the handheld GPS device, those positions are the start and resultcoordinates. The Position.DistanceTo (Position destination) method isused to obtain the distance between two points. Alternatively, thepresent invention systems and methods are adaptable to be used orretrofitted to use on existing GPS mobile devices.

User Inputs.

During or before a first golf play, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention, a user enters a unique user identification and securelogin, such as by password, via the device interface, thereby creating auser account. The system and methods of the present invention alsoprovide for options that permit a golfer to set up pre-game settingsincluding starting points, targets and default targets for a particulargolf course. For example, a user may choose to play from the white tees,so that the first starting point on each hole of a golf course may bedefined, and additionally choose to apply default targets to some holesand new targets to other holes, to account for the weather or golferconditions. Favorite clubs can also be set up, which prevents users fromhaving to scroll through the entire list of clubs when reviewing shotson the user interface. Secondary shot information may also be saved inthe pregame settings. All pre-game settings, once inputted, are easilyretrievable and allow the user to save time when playing a game. Inaddition, pre-game settings can be modified as needed by the user duringthe course of play.

Shot Information.

Before making a first shot during golf play, a user inputs primary shotinformation, including at least one starting point representing thelocation of the golf ball before a golf shot. In another embodiment, theuser additionally inputs a target. Each primary shot input is associatedwith GPS coordinate data or relational data, whether in a GPS virtualsystem or a stored relational location system, respectfully. In anotherembodiment, during the golf play of a hole on a golf course, the userinputs a series of starting points and targets, including an initialstart point and target for a first golf shot, an intermediate startpoint and target for a second golf shot, and at least another startpoint and target for a third golf shot, until the golfer successfullyreaches the golf hole. In one embodiment, the starting point and targetrelate to a golf course, and more particularly to a hole playable on agolf course. In another embodiment, the starting point and target relateto a landscape used for practice, and the user is a third party enteringinformation relating to a golfer's shot. Additional combinations areapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoingdescription.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the device prompts theuser to mark the starting point by either recording the user's positionor permitting the user to input the starting point via the interfaceusing an input mechanism. The device may further prompts the user toinput a target, such as by prompting whether the pin that marks the holeis to be used, whether the default target is to be used or modified,and/or whether a new target is to be inputted. In one embodiment theuser may ignore the target prompt altogether, thereby using the defaulttarget by default. In one embodiment, if the user enters YES, and thepin location or default target is to be the target, then the userproceeds with the shot to hit the target; if the user enters NO, thenthe user modifies the default target, enters a new target altogether, orrefuses to use a target.

Once a shot is completed and the ball lands in a next location orposition, the ball location is inputted by the user and is typicallyused as the starting point for the next shot, except in circumstancesdescribed infra, such as shots out of bounds and shots in hazards, suchas water. The user may choose to continue until the target is reached ornew target(s) corresponding to any additional starting point(s). For ahole on a golf course, the user continues until the hole is played out,and the ball is placed in the hole. The user continues to mark the pinor next start location and a series of start-to-target entries are madeuntil the hole is played out, including putts.

A starting position or resting ball location is inputted by a user viathe input mechanisms to mark the user's ball location as a pinpointposition, the resting ball position being the resting position of theprevious shot and the starting position of the upcoming shot. Thestarting position may be inputted by capturing the device's location,when a user is standing near or over the ball location, or may beinputted through selection of a point on the GUI or display, which maybe related and stored with associated GPS coordinates or relationalposition information.

Additionally, secondary shot information may be inputted by a user,including a club selection, golf course conditions, weather conditions,golfer conditions, equipment specifics, shot corrections, penalty shotpositions, and combinations thereof. Secondary shot information may beentered for each shot or at least one shot. Further, a user may entersecondary information on one shot and choose to have the secondaryinformation serve as default secondary information, wherein the defaultsecondary information is automatically entered for each consecutive shotunless otherwise directed by the user. One, some or all of the secondaryinformation may be set as default when the user inputs the pre-gamesettings or may be set as default during golf play, such that thesecondary information may be modified from its default setting at anypoint during golf play.

Targets.

A user enters at least one target as a pinpoint coordinate location, amulti-dimensional area or a zone on the fairway, green or anotherfeature of a golf play landscape. The user may enter targets before,during or after golf play. Targets may be intermediate targets en routeto a final target. Final targets may be pinpoint locations, such as apin location.

Target points are zero-dimensional, single pinpoint coordinate locationson the golf play landscape and are inputted by a user. Target points areentered using an input mechanism via the device interface and correspondto a GPS or relational position. An exemplar target point is a golfcourse hole coordinate location.

Target areas are areas located on the golf play landscape. In oneembodiment, a target area is defined by its position, dimensions andshape, as inputted by the user via an input mechanism; the targetposition defines the center of a target shape, and the target dimensionsdefine the dimensions of the target shape. Such a target area may bedefined by choosing a target position, then selecting a predeterminedtarget area shape from a drop-down list, wherein the deviceautomatically retrieves target dimensions from the default pre-gamesettings or from historical data from a user account. Historical datafrom a user account may include any inputted primary or secondary data,and any corresponding analytics or averages over periods of time,courses, or conditions, such that a target area's position, dimensionand/or shape may be uniquely related to a user's golf history. Forexample, and not as a limitation, an automatically created target areamay be created wherein the target position is equal to the average ofthe inputted club's average distance for the user under the currentcourse conditions (high winds, sunny, healthy golfer), the targetdimensions correspond to the percent error indicator (PEI) for theselected club, and the target shape corresponds to the average distanceand direction when a target is missed by the selected club.

Notably, any target, whether a point, area or zone, may be automaticallyrecommended based on an account's historical data and pre-game ordefault settings. For example, all historical data associated with aselected club may be combined with a default setting that all targetsare points or zones in order to automatically calculate the position ofthe point or the area of the zone. An automatically calculated targetmay appear on the graphic user interface for viewing by the user, whomay modify the target or save the target as a default target, if sodesired. In one embodiment a target area may be calculated usinghistorical club data for an account, wherein the target position isequal to distance from the starting point, centered on a fairway orgreen, equal to a club average for the account over a particular timerange. Alternatively, the position distance from the starting point maybe equal to the club average plus or minus a percentage of the clubaverage. The target shape may be set during pre-game settings using adefault, may be calculated using statistical analysis similar to FIGS.32-33, or may be inputted by the user. The target dimension(s) may beequal to a percentage of a club average for the account over aparticular range, the percentage either being inputted during play orbefore play as a default in the pre-game settings. For example, a usermay input the target position to be 5% above the club average, thetarget dimension range to be within 15% of the club average, the targetdimension width to be within 25% of the club average, and the targetshape to be an oval. Further, any averages may also account for otherprimary or secondary shot inputs, such that the target calculation maybe limited to historical information for the account, or multipleaccounts, matching the course condition, lie, shot type, startingposition, etc.

Alternatively, the target area may be defined by selecting a targetpoint, selecting a predetermined target shape, then inputting at leastone dimension for the predetermined target shape; the system mayautomatically calculate other dimensions if only one dimension isinputted, and the device may automatically draw the target area definedby the user with the target point as the center of the target area. Tospeed the play of golf, a user may input any of a target, a targetposition, at least one target dimension, a target shape, and/or a targetoutline before play during the pre-game settings, during play, duringplay and set as a default, or after play for future use or accountmodification.

In another embodiment a target area is defined by customized outlinecreated using the input mechanism, such that the outline consists of aseries of GPS or relational position points defining the border of thetarget area. In such an embodiment, a user may use their digits or astylus to demarcate an outline of the target via a touchscreen, eitherpoint-by-point, segment-by-segment continuous lines, or by a singlecontinuous line. In another embodiment, a user may further customizetarget areas by choosing to limit the target's outline within thefairway, the result being for a target square of 50 yards in lengthbeing placed on a fairway of 40 yards in width to be automaticallymodified such that the width of the square is 40 yards up to thefairway's borders, yet the length remains 50 yards. Similarcustomizations may be made with respect to a green, practice area, orother golf play landscape feature.

An example, but not a limitation, includes a user, before golf play,defining all targets as being an oval having a width of 25 yards and adepth of 15 yards, such that, during golf play, the user simply inputs atarget area position on the GUI or display, the device automaticallydefining an 25 yard by 15 yard oval with the inputted position as theoval's center-point. As another example, the user may set pre-gamedefaults as including a custom outline as the default target for hole 1,an oval with dimensions of 25 yards by 15 yards for hole 2, a circlewith a radius dimension of 20 yards up to the fairway border for hole 3,etc.

Target zones are areas that may be defined by a range of distances as alength and a width that stretches to the edges of a feature, such as afairway, green, landscape border or golf course border. In oneembodiment, a user defines the target zone's length as being a range ofdistances from the starting point (e.g., input of 200-230 yards wouldcreate a target zone of 30 yards in length, the zone starting at 200yards from the starting point and ending at 230 yards from the startingpoint), and the user defines the target zone's width as being alandscape feature (e.g., the feature being a fairway, thereby creating atarget zone stretching between the borders of the fairway, with a 200and 230 yard arch as the distance dimension borders). In anotherembodiment, a user may highlight a portion of the fairway that is thedesired target zone with a swipe of the finger or using another inputmechanism, thereby allowing the device to define a range of distancesand feature by estimation, either by the width of the digit beingapplied or by calculating a swipe center and applying a default range ofdistances thereto. For example, if the interface receives an inputaveraging between 280 and 300 yards around the fairway center, thedevice may prompt the user to confirm such estimation, although the usermay, by default, accept such estimation, or the user may modify suchestimation.

Targets can be entered before, during or after golf play, in relation toa starting position, golf course hole, and/or landscape. In oneembodiment, when targets are entered before golf play, a user enters atleast one target, which can be saved in the system's pre-game settings.In such an embodiment, when inputting primary shot information, thesystem may automatically display and/or input the pre-game targetsettings, which the user can accept by default, modify or completelyreplace. In one embodiment, after a target is inputted through at leastone input mechanism, the target is displayed on the graphic userinterface of the device and the user may save the target as the defaulttarget, the default target being automatically displayed and/or inputtedwhenever the user is at, or near, the same starting position, dependingon the pre-game settings.

After the first shot, and in relation to each new starting position, auser may continue to enter new targets as desired. In one embodiment,for each target being inputted, the system may prompt the user to selecta club from a club list or automatically displays and/or inputs adefault club previously identified by the user, either in the pre-gamesettings or during previous golf play. In another embodiment, once aclub is selected, the system prompts the user with a targetrecommendation based on the golfer's history using the selected club;subsequently the user either approves or removes the targetrecommendation, modifies it, or replaces it with a new target. In oneembodiment, if the user selects a lie of “green”, the next shots on thathole will automatically default to green, and the club willautomatically change to putter; such a feature, as with most features ofthe invention, are designed to save the user time when playing and/orreviewing a round.

Notably, the analytics based on target areas and zones may use anynumber of distance measurements, whether it be to the nearest point on atarget outline, the point where the outline intersects with a lineconnecting the starting position and the target center, the targetcenter, or another target point. Additionally, a user may simply input atarget through an input mechanism with a single click, wherein thesingle click, without any further inputs, is registered by the device torecord the current GPS location as the starting position and tocalculate the target using the default or pre-game settings. Suchfunctionality minimizes the device's intrusion into game play by merelyallowing a user to slide their hand in their pocket and make a singleinput before or after making a shot. Alternatively, the device can beequipped with motion sensing technology such that the swing of a golferis detected, thereby marking the starting location and inputting atarget automatically, with no effort during game play on the part of thegolfer or user.

Modifications.

In one embodiment of the invention, once a target has been created orselected, a user may modify the target at any time thereafter.Modifications to a target include adjusting the position, dimensionsand/or shape of the target, including confining a target zone to adifferent course feature, or changing whether a target is identified asa default target for a starting point. Target modifications may be madeby any user and include modifications made by a coach or third partyafter golf play, modifications made by a coach during golf play,modifications made by a golfer or user before golf play, or, moregenerically, modifications made by any user at any time after a targethas been created or modified. Target modifications are inputted by auser in the same, or similar, way that a target is first created.

By way of example and not limitation, one embodiment of the inventionpermits a user to modify a target area location during golf play. Beforea user hits the first shot on a par 4, the user can choose to modify adefault target due to high winds. By selecting the target area on theGUI or display, the user may input new dimensions, a new position, a newshape, or even change a target area to a target zone or target point. Inone embodiment, the user may simply drag the displayed default target toa new position on the GUI or display, thereby modifying the target butnot modifying the default target itself.

In another embodiment of the invention, resting ball locations may bemodified by a user. This feature can be used when a golfer's shot landsin a body of water, out of bounds, or in a hazard area, wherein a balllocation will differ from the subsequent shot starting point. Accordingto typical golf rules, landing in one of these areas requires the golferto either retake the shot from the previous starting point or drop theball in a certain location away from the ball location. In such a case,the user may want to input the ball location, even though it is notplayable, in order to allow the ball location to be included in thestatistical analysis. Additionally, the user may still want to input astarting point that differs from the ball location so that thestatistical analysis and other features, such as feedback and defaulttarget areas, remain properly applied to the shot location as well. Forexample, it may not be helpful to consider that the shot merely landedat that drop point, rather than at the actual location or area where theball hit the water. As with inputting target information, ball locationsmay be inputted through the interface using any one of the inputmechanisms. In one embodiment, the ball location which differs from astarting point will be indicated with an X to indicate that this is anestimate rather than an actual pinpoint location of the ball at the endof that shot.

Once a target is finally inputted, the golfer may proceed with the shotand input the resulting ball location position. By observing the balllocation after a shot, and depending on whether the target was accurateor beneficial to the user, the user can choose to save the target as adefault target for future use when making a shot from the startingpoint. The user may also input whether the default target should be usedonly at that starting point, typically in the case of a tee box, or beused within a certain distance of that starting point, such as a secondfairway shot on a par 5. The default target may be saved to the coursesettings by the user for future play or review by a coach or thirdparty, such as being saved to the course map for review during futureplay when deciding where to play a target.

Analytics.

The GPS-captured and/or received inputs may be stored locally on thedevice itself or transferred between devices before, during or aftergolf play through a wired or wireless network. For example, a user maychoose to continuously upload data from device to device during golfplay via a wireless network, upload data to a mobile device through awired connection during golf play, or upload data after golf play to aserver device. Various computer system embodiments allow for a pluralityof information sharing scenarios over wired and/or wireless networks, asis described supra. These inputs can be associated with one or more useraccounts, the user account being that of the golfer, coach, third party,or user inputting the information, such as a caddie.

GPS data may be downloaded from or uploaded to another device,preferably directly from the user device without requiring additionalsoftware or data to be saved or otherwise stored on an intermediatecomputer. While the user is logged online from any connected device, theuser may access any presently loaded or prior-loaded inputs from golfplay for modification or manipulation, including providing inputs foradditional information that provide more detail on the conditions ofplay. Software may reside on one or many of the computing devices withinthe system for performing statistical analysis on the inputs and forproviding output in the form of text, tables, diagrams, images andcombinations thereof. In one embodiment, the data and analytics isstored and categorized by user, golfer, coach, course, hole, primaryshot information, secondary shot information and/or course conditions.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides for situational golfshot data and analytics. Significantly, the golf shot data and analyticsof the systems and methods of the present invention are provided in arelative mode, i.e., each shot is directionally compared to a startingpoint and a target, wherein that direction is zeroed out to a (0,0)coordinate starting point and the direction is consistently oriented foreach shot such that when all shots are considered collectively,regardless of actual GPS or relational direction or positioning, trendsinformation is quickly identifiable because all shots are aligned in thesame direction for the purposes of the analytics on the remote servercomputer. Thus, while the actual shots may be taken during play on agolf course, the situation-neutral based system eliminates the actualGPS directionality of any shot from start point to target and uses azeroed directionality instead to facilitate comparison of shots andtheir deviation from target direction.

The systems and methods of such an embodiment are thus particularlyuseful in a practice mode. Since the directionality is zeroed by thesoftware running on the server computer, the inputs from the applicationuser and GPS data provide accuracy of the actual shot versus targetcomparisons, but the data is also useful for practice apart from thecontext of a course. The situational shot data, or situation-neutralshot data, is based upon the initial start point and first target; thesecond start point and second target, etc., until the final shot fromfinal start point to final target (and final actual shot) are completed,wherein each respective start point and target are considered out ofcontext of a course of play or golf course location. Each shot start iszeroed out and its location established as the zero point with directionof play oriented to a consistent, predetermined direction, such as truenorth. Statistical analytics relating to the user's shot data areprovided including outputs having scattergraph diagrams that includeinformation relating to the directionality of any shot to be uniformlyand consistently oriented to provide a zeroed-out orientation for eachshot, thereby assisting the user/golfer with identification andunderstanding of errors and trends related to shot misdirection and thecorresponding causes related thereto. In this way, adjustments to form,strategy, and ultimately performance, can be made by the user.

The inputs, or a selection thereof, captured during golf play, can betransformed into at least one graphical visual representation of thestarting point and target and further including analytics indicators forshot accuracy based upon user inputs for the target for a multiplicityof shots. Other options available to the user include saving inputsbased on the visual representation itself, operating a report functionto generate basic feedback to the user about his/her play inputscompared to targets, clubs, conditions, and combinations thereof.Reports can include average score, breakdown by par/hole, scramblingpercentage, sand saves, driving accuracy, and other standard metrics andcombinations thereof, as well as trends information. Additionally,information is available for review by club, by conditions or situationssuch as represented by the secondary inputs. A percent error index (PEI)is also available; this PEI is a calculation of how close the actualuser shots were from start to targets for each series within the playperiod, which may be the golf course, a series of holes on a golfcourse, a practice session, a golf school or lessons by professionalinstruction over a predetermined period of time.

FIGS. 1-11 are schematic drawings illustrating diagrammaticrepresentation of golf performance analytics in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12-31 illustrate screen shot images of user interfaces for userinput of information and coordinate data and for viewing statistical andanalytical outputs.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the systems and methodsprovide for at least two different ways to look at or review a roundwith visual representations via the website interface, specifically“Table” and “Map” views, as illustrated in the figures. Table view is aneasy to view screen that just lists each shot, along with the distance,as illustrated by the website screen shot in FIG. 15. A Map view isillustrated in FIG. 16. To edit the properties of a particular shot, auser simply has to click-select or otherwise indicate or select a givenshot represented on the user interface. The user can add secondary shotand other situational information through the user interface. The use ofdefaults during pre-game settings is preferable so as not to interruptor slow the flow of the golf game while it is in progress. However, if adevice is being used by a third party, such as a caddie, then additionalinputs may be made easily with interrupting the flow of the game.

Another option for reviewing a golf round is with the Map view userinterface, as shown in FIG. 16. This graphical representation of a golfcourse is provided for golf course play where those courses have beenmapped by a GPS coordinate system, aerially, or otherwise depictedapproximately to scale or at least representative of the course layoutand distances with respect to each hole. If the course the user isreviewing does not have a map available for any reason, then a blankscreen may be provided that indicates that the course is not mapped orthat a map is not yet available.

A user may review shots at any time by clicking on the shots below themap, the interface indicating the resting ball location and target foreach shot selected. The graphical representation of the shot itself maytake any number of forms, including a straight line between the startingpoint and resting ball location or a curved line to best depict the shottype. Preferably, the user sees the actual line that his/her shots havetaken, from the tee to the hole, and/or intermediate shots therebetween.

In the contingency for penalty shots, if a user hits his/her shot intothe water, they can't stand next the ball and mark the location with thedevice. The system allows the user to click on the map to show where aparticular shot landed. If no map exists, the user can estimate thedistance. The user will go through each shot. When finished the roundchanges to “Completed” status, and is now part of the statistics in theReports section (see FIG. 16).

Reports.

The first report is the Overall Statistics mode. It shows the selectedround (you can select any one round from your entire history), the lastround, then the past 10, 20, 30, and all rounds to the right. It showsstats for score, average score on the various pars, greens in regulation(GIR), sand save percentage, and driving accuracy percentage. TheReports section, as illustrated in FIG. 17, also allows a user to filteronly the rounds they want to see. If the user wants to view only roundsat a particular course, they can select that course from a drop-downmenu (filter button). Year, month, and day filters also exist.

FIG. 18 provides a screen shot view showing an Overall Statistics byClub report. It shows the minimum, maximum, and average distances foreach club (and type of swing) that you've used. The PEI (PercentageError Index) shows you how far you're missing your target by. Forexample, if I have 100 yards to the pin, and I hit my shot 10 yardsaway, my PEI is 10%. SPI (Scoring Percentage Index) is a percentage ofhow often you hit a shot to within 6 feet of the hole.

From the same report, as illustrated in FIG. 19, a user can get a closerlook at data relating to the accuracy of each club by clicking the club.The first screen that you see below shows you how accurate you are withthat particular club, in relationship to the flagstick. Only shots thathave a target of “Flagstick” will show here. The left chart is for allshots with that club. The right chart can be further dialed down byclicking the drop-down boxes on the right side of the screen. If youonly want to see only those shots out of a fairway bunker, off an uphilllie, out of heavy rough, etc., then the user can specify that at thispoint.

For those shots that are not targeted at a point, the present inventionhas provided a label for it indicating a “Target Area” or “Target Zone.”By clicking the link below the charts as illustrated in FIG. 20 that islabeled “GPS target not defined,” the user will see the indicated userinterface and graphics. Targets may be inputted as described supra. Samegoes for the left chart showing all shots for that club, and the rightbeing selectable. Shot information with a particular club may be storedand referred to later on when providing target recommendations to theuser when he selects the same club on the same course in the future.

The next report shown in FIG. 21 is the Improvement report. This shows alist of clubs, with the clubs that have the highest error percentage atthe top. The higher the PEI, the worse the user is with that particularclub. Those are the clubs with which the user needs to work onimprovements.

The next report illustrated in FIG. 22 shows a Scrambling Percentagereport. This shows the user how often he/she makes par when he/shemisses a green in regulation. Sand save reports show how often the usergets up and down out of a green-side sand bunker, as illustrated in FIG.23. Driving Accuracy shows how often the user hits the fairway from thetee, as illustrated in the screen shot from the web-based user interfacefor FIG. 24.

The system and methods of the present invention also provide for optionsthat permit a golfer to set up favorite clubs, which prevents them fromhaving to scroll through the entire list of clubs when reviewing shotson the user interface; this is illustrated in FIG. 25. To edit theproperties of a particular shot, just click the shot. The user can addsituational data such as lie, lay, slope, club, type of swing, weatherinformation, etc.

Visualizations.

The present invention provides diagrammatic visualization of a targetzone or area versus pinpoint target for a user providing inputs to thedevice, preferably the inputs being made during the course of play on agolf. The systems and methods of the present invention further providefor user access to statistical analytics and graphical user interfacesprovided by software running on a remote server computer incommunication with the user's computer via a network, preferably the web(WWW).

The present invention can provide detailed diagrammatic representationsof golf performance analytics, such as scattergraph diagrams, thatprovide information including area and zone targets rather than merelypinpoint targets, and wherein the directionality of each shot is zeroedto facilitate identification of direction-based errors. Therefore, thepresent invention provides for situation-neutral golf metrics that areuseful regardless of whether the application user is playing on a courseor in a practice setting.

Preferably, the graphical visual representation(s) includes scattergraphdiagrams and/or shot zone diagrams that identify errors and trends basedupon the inputs for the at least one golf shot. Where the diagrams areviewable on the GUI or display, it is preferable that they beinteractive. Also, the diagrams are viewable in a portable, printedpocket-sized version of the diagrams viewable on the GUI or display. Inany format, the diagrams include shot accuracy based upon the at leastone golf shot inputs for indicating performance for an individual golferbased upon a specific club and golf course situations, and pastperformance, along with statistical likelihood for present performanceunder similar conditions. The inputs include coordinates of a series ofcorresponding starting points and targets, recordation of actual shotlocations from those starting points, and wherein the outputs includestatistical analysis having text, tabular, diagrammatic, and/orimage-based outputs that are converted from the inputs. The handhelddevice may either be a purpose-built golf GPS device or a mobilecommunication device, including but not limited to smart phones ormobile phones.

Regarding visualization of data, different visualization options of theshot data and related analytics are available, including tabular andmap-type views, that are selectively reviewable by the user on thedevice, or on a remote computer connected to the server via the network,connected to the web. Additional shot-by-shot views and statistics areoptionally reviewable by the user and/or a third party with permissionfor such review. In addition to the primary information, the useroptionally enters secondary information, including but not limited toslope of the landscape between the ball and the inputted target, ballposition on that landscape, wind direction, wind strength,precipitation, humidity, penalty strokes, altitude, player status (suchas injury, sickness, etc.) and combinations thereof.

For scatter graph generation as shown in FIG. 1, the present inventionsystems and methods select shots made by a user using a specific golfclub and for which flagstick is the target (in this case, a pinpointtarget). Then the coordinates of the flagstick are projected for eachshot in 0 point and find the distance from 0 point to: Pn(x)—distance inX-direction, Pn(y)—distance in Y-direction.

X-Direction Distance Calculation. The distance from target to shot inX-direction is calculated as follows: The reference point is taken asthe coordinates of flagstick, to which the shot was targeted. The endpoint is Pn(x), which is calculated as:

Pn(x)Longitude=Shot n Longitude Pn(x)Latitude=Target n Latitude

Y-Direction Distance Calculation. For calculating distance from targetto shot in Y-direction the similar method is used. The reference pointis taken as the coordinates of flagstick, to which the shot wastargeted. The end point is Pn(y), which is calculated as:

Pn(y)Longitude=Target n Longitude Pn(y)Latitude=Shot n Latitude

Positioning Shot by X, Y Coordinates. After the coordinates of Pn(x),Pn(y) have been found, we can calculate the distances from Pn(x), Pn(y)points to the Target. And this will be the distances of n-shot in X, Ydirections. The distances are calculated with the help of GeoFrameworkslibrary. Then it's needed to find the position of Pn(x), Pn(y) pointrelative to 0 point. At first we should determine the hemisphere of GPScoordinates. If hemisphere is South or West then we take thosecoordinates with negative sign.

If Longitude of Pn(x) point is larger than Longitude of 0 point, itmeans that the point is located on the right (to the east).

If Latitude of Pn(y) point is larger than Latitude of 0 point, it meansthat the point is located higher (to the north).

For instance, the following GPS Coordinates are received: End shot pointlatitude (2649.4087,N); End shot point longitude (08006.9080,W); Holepoint latitude (2649.4087,S) Hole point longitude (08006.9100,W). Todetermine the position of the shot point relative to the hole by Y axewe should take shot point latitude with positive sign (because it'sNorth hemisphere) and compare it with hole point latitude with negativesign (because it's South hemisphere). 2649.4087 is grater than(−2649.4087). So point is located higher (to the north). The samealgorithm for determining the position by X axe. But in this case theWest hemisphere is negative and the East is positive.

Updates to Support Direction of Play on Scatter Graph

On FIG. 2, hole result is depicted. For graph calculation and diagramgeneration, the target for each shot is projected in point (0, 0). Then,by algorithm described in FIG. 2, the coordinates of point for each shotare calculated. FIG. 3 illustrates how the direction of the shot isfound, as in Step 1. FIG. 4 shows the turning angle being found relativeto the initial axes of reference, as in Step 2. FIG. 5 providesillustration of a Step 3, wherein the axes X′, Y′ and shot point areturned through angle n.degree., resulting in a graph illustrated in FIG.6, showing a result for a shot 1 or a first shot. A similar method isused for generating the point of a second shot or subsequent shot, asshown in Step 4, Step 5, Step 6, Results for a shot 2 in FIGS. 7, 8, and9, respectively, with the FIG. 10 showing a result for shot 2. Then, thegraphs for each separate shot are merged together resulting in thecomplete Hole Result, illustrated in FIG. 11.

Printable Cards.

In addition, the present invention provides a portable and preferablypocket-sized printed version of shot performance and/or statisticallikelihood of present or future performance based upon past performancefor any given golf club, golf course conditions, etc. Preferably, theshot zone diagrams provide a visual representation of statisticallikelihood for any given shot based upon past performance. The shotzones preferably include a range of probability, such as 90%, 70%, and50% likelihood. The shot zones may be developed based upon the actualpast performance and/or may be based upon actual past performance plus afactor for variation and projection of likelihood of shot accuracy forthe instant shot, depending upon conditions, etc. The past performancedata is preferably selected from a predetermined range of time toinclude more than one past performance for an individual golfer. It maybe selected for play only on a given course (such as the same coursebeing played at that time), or may be selected from all past play on anycourse. The data is updatable and can be stored on the device andprinted from an electronic dataset that is preferably generated as setforth in the description infra. In any case, the shot zones are the bestmanner for the golfer to estimate how and where he should take the shot,with which club, for the conditions present at that time. Thus, thepocket-sized, printed version of these diagrams provides a personalizedshot book for an individual golfer that can be used during play on anycourse, even during tournament play.

It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill that the current rulesof golf do not allow for electronic devices to be used on the golfcourse during play. Therefore, the preferred embodiments provide forprinted versions. However, it is included within the scope of thepresent invention that the shot zone diagrams may be viewable andprovided on electronic, handheld devices such as purpose-built GPSdevices, mobile phones with graphic user interface screens, PDAs, andthe like. These are currently available but are also currently notallowed during tournament play. Thus the “shot book” is intended toinclude electronic views not in printed, book or booklet form, but inscreen shot or GUI viewable form.

The shot zone of the present invention set forth hereinabove may besupplemented with scattergraph diagrams as set forth herein. The systemand methods of a preferred embodiment for determining the pastperformance of an individual golfer are set forth herein. It will beunderstood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatother methods, including manual recordation of past performance, may beused to generate the data from which the shot zone and the correspondingdiagrams for a shot book are developed. The present best mode, however,provides that these are generated automatically, based upon data inputduring the golf round(s) using a hand-held GPS device and a software forinputting and analyzing the golf game data.

Coaching.

Additionally, the golfer has review options provided on a graphical userinterface on a GUI or display for reviewing, editing, modifying, andadding data to the uploaded shot data. In another embodiment, a methodfor providing statistical analytics of golf performance includes thesteps of providing a GPS-operable device for a user to input golf shotdata during play on a course; uploading the golf shot data including GPSdata to a computer having software for providing analysis of the data;and providing outputs including analytics of the data, wherein theoutputs are viewable by the user via a GUI or display via text, tabular,graphic, and image-based outputs that include trends information for thegolfer, all based upon actual golf play on course situations, whereinthe golfer inputs shot data during play, without interrupting the flowof the game, and uploads the shot data for analytics and review online.In such an embodiment the analytics preferably include text, tabular,graphic, and image-based outputs that include trends information basedupon the shot data input by the user, wherein the shot data is basedupon actual golf play on course situations, and the golfer inputs shotdata during play.

The system and methods of the present invention also providefunctionality that permits a user to allow or provide access to anotheruser such as their coach or a PGA professional. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, this is done by a user making a click-select of the“Find Teachers/Coaches” link in the Preferences section (coaches and PGAPros may check a box that identifies them as a coach/teacher when theysign up). The user finds a coach/teacher, and clicks the “Send Request”button or option, as illustrated in FIG. 26.

FIG. 27 illustrates a graphic user interface that provides options forcoaches and teachers to sign up to receive notices and review roundsactually made by their students who have extended access to the data tothem. After a student sends a request to a coach/teacher, thecoach/teacher is provided the option to log in for viewing an interfaceas illustrated by FIG. 28. Once accepted, preferably the coach/teachercan then view, but cannot make changes to, all the reports that thegolfer or user also reviews. The coach/teacher click-selects orindicates the desired golfer from a listing such as the “Impersonate as”drop-down menu, and all of that golfer's reports are available, as shownin the FIG. 29.

As illustrated in FIG. 30, the systems and methods of the presentinvention provide coach/teacher with the option to create a report thatcompares multiple golfers or users, preferably side by side. Byclick-selecting another option, such as “Coach Report”, they see a listof all golfers they have access to. They then select which of thesegolfers to compare, and click-select “Add.” Preferably a multiplicity ofgolfers or users' data is available for review and comparison by thethird party coach/teacher.

As illustrated by the screen shot in FIG. 31, the user thenclick-selects a “Create Report” button to view the report, showing thoseselected users or golfers in a comparative manner, preferably with datain tabular format side by side, but optionally in an overlay graphic ofshots or other visualization that facilitates comparison or analysis.

The present invention provides visual diagrammatic views includingscattergraph diagrams that provide for the directionality of any shot tobe uniformly and consistently oriented to provide a zeroed-outorientation for each shot thereby assisting the user/golfer withidentification and understanding of errors and trends related to shotmisdirection and the corresponding causes related thereto, so thatadjustments to form, strategy, and ultimately performance can be made bythe user and to which the coach user has access through a web-basedaccount for reviewing the data and providing feedback to the userregarding corrective action or recommendations for improvements.

The system further provides for a unique login for each user, includingboth application users (students) and coaches/instructors/teachers toaccess the remote server computer for making data and informationalinputs, and for modifying and adding information, including secondaryinformation that includes more detail about play conditions, userstatus, etc. and coaching-specific information such as correctiveactions or recommendations for improvement.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide methods forstatistical analysis of golf performance of a user including the stepsof the user inputting information and corresponding coordinates for aseries of shots including a start point and a target area, as well asactual shot location throughout a course of play; the user uploadingthat information and data to a remote server computer, where software isoperable to perform statistical analysis and provide outputs to the userrelating to trends in the user's performance over a predeterminedperiod; wherein the scattergraph diagrams include information relatingto the directionality of any shot to be uniformly and consistentlyoriented to provide a zeroed-out orientation for each shot, therebyassisting the user/golfer with identification and understanding oferrors and trends related to shot misdirection and the correspondingcauses related thereto, so that adjustments to form, strategy, andultimately performance can be made by the user and for an authorizedcoach user accessing user information and data, including analyticsthereon and providing tracking of coaching recommendations andsuccessful implementation thereof.

The present invention provides a system for providing statisticalanalysis for golf performance of a user including a portable inputdevice, preferably a handheld device with GPS-functionality, operablefor capturing shot data during the golf play of a golfer, the devicebeing further operable to transmit the shot data and related GPS data toa computer for reviewing the shot data and analysis of the shot datathrough a graphical user interface viewable on a GUI or display; thecomputer further including software operable for providing statisticalanalysis of the shot data; wherein the user provides inputs andcoordinates of a series of corresponding starting points and targetareas, and recordation of actual shot locations from those startingpoints during the golf play via the device; and wherein the statisticalanalysis includes outputs relating to the golfer's golf performance overa predetermined period, and wherein the outputs include scattergraphdiagrams having information relating to the directionality of any shotto be uniformly and consistently oriented to provide a zeroed-outorientation for each shot, thereby assisting the user/golfer withidentification and understanding of errors and trends related to shotmisdirection and the corresponding causes related thereto, so thatadjustments to form, strategy, and ultimately performance can be made bythe user; the user uploading the shot data to a remote server computer;software operable on the computer performs statistical analysis of theshot data associated with the golfer; and the software providinganalytics outputs to the user via a GUI or display having a graphicaluser interface, including trends in the golfer's performance over apredetermined period.

FIGS. 32 and 33 show shot zone diagrams for a given golf club and selectgolf course locations and/or conditions. FIGS. 32A-D show variations fora pitching wedge. Direction of play is indicated by an arrow at thelower left hand corner of the diagram for each condition. Golf courselocations and/or conditions are illustrated here for fairway, sand,light rough, and trouble. Other locations and/or conditions may beprovided in substitute or addition to any of these. FIGS. 33A-D showvariations for a 6 iron. Note also that for each of the illustrated golfclubs, the dates for which the statistical likelihood are illustratedare listed below each golf club. This may be developed over a shorter orlonger period of time, and the time frame is provided for illustrationonly. Depending upon the amount of golf played by an individual golfer,the statistical significance and likelihood algorithms may be adjustedand/or may simply have fewer or greater data points from which to makethe projections.

FIG. 34 is a flow diagram illustrating several embodiments of a devicereceiving a target for statistical analysis. In one embodiment, fromstarting position 1, the device receives a target position input anddisplays a target by using the default target dimensions and targetshape previously inputted. In this embodiment, an oval was inputted asthe default target shape, with a width dimension slightly larger thanthe height dimension (e.g., 25 yards by 20 yards), and with the centerof the oval equal to the inputted target position. Upon viewing thedisplayed target the user decides to modify the shape by selecting a newtarget shape—a rectangle. Therefore, the device modifies the displaysuch that the center of the shape remains equal to the inputted targetposition, the dimensions of the shape remain equal to the default targetdimensions, and the shape outline is changed from an oval to arectangle. In alternative embodiments, the user may input additionalmodification following the second target display.

FIG. 34 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in startingposition 2. The devices receives an inputted club selection, retrievesdata from the historical database and pre-game settings and displays theresultant target. In this example, the default target shape is arectangle including the setting to be confined to a fairway or green.The target position is calculated using the club data, such that theaverage club shot for the account may be used to calculate the targetposition, centered in the fairway. The target dimensions are calculatedusing the club data, such that the default target dimension setting isused to determine what percentage the length and width of the rectangleis to be. Although not explicitly illustrated, in another embodiment thetarget position may be calculated using shot data and default orpre-game settings such that the target position is equal the averageclub shot for a group of accounts less 5% of the average club shotyardage. In the embodiment of starting position 2, the calculated targetextends beyond the fairway (shown by the dotted lines) so the devicemodifies the target to be confined to the fairway (shown by the solidlines).

FIG. 34 additionally illustrates an embodiment for starting position 3.The device receives an inputted target outline and receives a targetposition from the default settings. Alternatively, the target positioncould be calculated based on an inputted club selection or combinationof an inputted club selection and default position settings. The devicethen displays the inputted target area centered on the default targetposition. The center of a custom inputted target area can be calculatedin a number of ways know to those skilled in performing suchcalculations, but one method would be to use the center of a largestinner circle to fit within the shape and an alternative method wouldcalculate an average width and height to use as the center. Referringback to the illustration, the user may input a new target position bysimply dragging and dropping the target to a new position or usinganother input mechanism.

FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the inventionillustrating a computer system, generally described as 800, having anetwork 810 and a plurality of computing devices 820, 830, 840. In oneembodiment of the invention, the computer system 800 includes acloud-based network 810 for distributed communication via the network'swireless communication antenna 812 and processing by a plurality ofmobile computing devices 830, 840. In another embodiment of theinvention, the computer system 800 is a virtualized computing systemcapable of executing any or all aspects of software and/or applicationcomponents presented herein on the computing devices 820, 830, 840. Incertain aspects, the computer system 800 may be implemented usinghardware or a combination of software and hardware, either in adedicated computing device, or integrated into another entity, ordistributed across multiple entities or computing devices.

By way of example, and not limitation, the computing devices 820, 830,840 are intended to represent various forms of digital devices 820 andmobile devices 830, 840 such as a server, blade server, mainframe,mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, adesktop computer, a netbook computer, a tablet computer, a workstation,a laptop, GPS-enabled device and other similar computing devices. Thecomponents shown here, their connections and relationships, and theirfunctions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limitimplementations of the invention described and/or claimed in thisdocument.

In one embodiment, the mobile device 830 includes components such as aprocessor 860, a system memory 862 having a random access memory (RAM)864 and a read-only memory (ROM) 866, and a system bus 868 that couplesthe memory 862 to the processor 860. In another embodiment, thecomputing device 830 may additionally include components such as astorage device 890 for storing the operating system 892 and one or moreapplication programs 894, a network interface unit 896, and/or aninput/output controller 898. Each of the components may be coupled toeach other through at least one bus 868. Further, the mobile device 830may include a graphic user interface or display 832 and various inputmechanisms 834. The input/output controller 898 may receive and processinput from, or provide output to, a number of other devices 899,including, but not limited to, alphanumeric input devices, mice,electronic styluses, display units, docking stations, charging stations,touch screens, signal generation devices (e.g., speakers) or printers.

By way of example, and not limitation, the processor 860 may be ageneral-purpose microprocessor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)),a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), aField Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD),a controller, a state machine, gated or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any other suitable entity or combinationsthereof that can perform calculations, process instructions forexecution, and/or other manipulations of information.

In another implementation, shown in FIG. 35, a computing device 840 mayuse multiple processors 860 and/or multiple buses 868, as appropriate,along with multiple memories 862 of multiple types (e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core).

Also, multiple computing devices may be connected, with each deviceproviding portions of the necessary operations (e.g., a server bank, agroup of blade servers, or a multi-processor system). Alternatively,some steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific toa given function.

According to various embodiments, the computer system 800 may operate ina networked environment using logical connections to local and/or remotecomputing devices 820, 830, 840, 850 through a network 810. A computingdevice 830 may connect to a network 810 through a network interface unit896 connected to the bus 868. Computing devices may communicatecommunication media through wired networks, direct-wired connections orwirelessly such as acoustic, RF or infrared through a wirelesscommunication antenna 897 in communication with the network's wirelesscommunication antenna 812 and the network interface unit 896, which mayinclude digital signal processing circuitry when necessary. The networkinterface unit 896 may provide for communications under various modes orprotocols.

In one or more exemplary aspects, the instructions may be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combinations thereof. A computerreadable medium may provide volatile or non-volatile storage for one ormore sets of instructions, such as operating systems, data structures,program modules, applications or other data embodying any one or more ofthe methodologies or functions described herein. The computer readablemedium may include the memory 862, the processor 860, and/or the storagedevice 890 and may be a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed computer system) that store the one or moresets of instructions 900. Non-transitory computer readable mediaincludes all computer readable media, with the sole exception being atransitory, propagating signal per se. The instructions 900 may furtherbe transmitted or received over the network 810 via the networkinterface unit 896 as communication media, which may include a modulateddata signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism andincludes any delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics changed or set in amanner as to encode information in the signal.

Storage devices 890 and memory 862 include, but are not limited to,volatile and non-volatile media such as cache, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,FLASH memory or other solid state memory technology, disks or discs(e.g., digital versatile disks (DVD), HD-DVD, BLU-RAY, compact disc(CD), CD-ROM, floppy disc) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium that can be used to store the computer readableinstructions and which can be accessed by the computer system 800.

It is also contemplated that the computer system 800 may not include allof the components shown in FIG. 35, may include other components thatare not explicitly shown in FIG. 35, or may utilize an architecturecompletely different than that shown in FIG. 35. The variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, elements, circuits, and algorithmsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software or combinations ofboth. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement thedescribed functionality in varying ways for each particular application(e.g., arranged in a different order or partitioned in a different way),but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the computer system may include a remote server computer(RSC), wherein the shot data is uploaded from a mobile device to the RSCthrough the network and the course data is downloaded from the RSC tothe device through the network. The RSC may store and analyze the datafor user access and review, the data being accessible via the Internetor worldwide web network. Alternatively, RSC data can be downloaded toand stored on the device for use when the Internet is not available. Theuser may be provided a unique user identification associated with eachgolfer that is usable by the golfer to access a remote server computerfor uploading or downloading user data, and for modifying and addingshot, course and golf play information.

A user may download any rounds that are currently captured on, orinputted into, the device during golf play from remote device to themobile device, either directly to the device itself or through adocketing or charging station. The software is operable to allow theuser to verify the course and date, and then checks to confirm. When theuser click-selects the “Confirm” button, the rounds are then availablein the “Review Golf Round” screen, which is viewable on a display on acomputer. On this screen view or graphic user interface, the software isoperable to allow the user to select or indicate the round he wishes toreview. The status of a round that has not been reviewed yet ispreferably marked or noted as having the status of “Uploaded.” Apartially reviewed round will be indicated as “Changed,” and acompletely reviewed round is indicated as “Completed” on the userinterface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rounds willnot be included in reports unless the round is completed.

In one embodiment all inputs, analytics, settings and other informationis stored locally on the memory of the mobile device. In anotherembodiment, some or all inputs, analytics, settings and otherinformation is stored on another computing device of the computersystem, such as a remote computer, server or database. The mobile devicemay be connected to and the information stored therein accessiblethrough a network during golf play, or, alternatively, may be connectedto and the information stored therein accessible through a network whenconnected to the internet before and/or after golf play.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By way of example,automatic conversion between English units of measure (such as feet,yards) to metric equivalents may be included for user convenience. Theabove mentioned examples are provided to serve the purpose of clarifyingthe aspects of the invention and it will be apparent to one skilled inthe art that they do not serve to limit the scope of the invention. Allmodifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake ofconciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of thepresent invention and the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for defining at least one targetarea for statistical analysis of golf performance comprising: providinga mobile device including a Global Positioning System (GPS) component;the GPS component determining GPS coordinates of a first startingposition, wherein the first starting position is a location of themobile device; the mobile device storing the GPS coordinates of thefirst starting position; the mobile device defining a first target areabased on at least historical performance data for a club selection; themobile device adjusting a position of the first target area to alocation within range of the club selection; and the mobile deviceautomatically modifying a perimeter of the first target area such thatthe first target area does not extend outside of fairway boundaries orgreen boundaries.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingcustomizing the first target area in multiple dimensions.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the mobile device defining the first target area isfurther based on a direction and range of distances from the firststarting position and/or weather conditions.
 4. The method of claim 1,further providing a graphical user interface (GUI) and displaying viathe GUI the first starting position, the first target area, coursefeatures, the fairway boundaries, and green boundaries.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the mobile device adjusting the position of the firsttarget area to the location within range of the club selection occursthrough the GUI based on manual input of positions, dimensions, and/orshapes of a first target area and includes confining the target area toa course feature.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the GUIdisplaying a second target area, wherein the second target area isdefined based on a direction and a range of distances from the firsttarget area and/or a range of distances from the first startingposition.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first target areaincludes multiple zones, wherein the multiple zones are based on thehistorical performance data for the club selection, wherein thehistorical performance data for the club selection includes shot zonediagrams for the club selection.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the mobile device receiving a first resting ball location andthe mobile device calculating whether the first resting ball location iswithin the first target area, and, if not, a distance, an elevation,and/or horizontal and vertical distances from the first resting balllocation to the first target area.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising the mobile device performing analytics, the analyticsincluding providing text, tabular, graphic, and image based outputs thatinclude trends information based upon the first resting ball locationand the first target area, including the historical performance data forthe club selection.
 10. A method for defining at least one target forstatistical analysis of golf performance comprising: providing a mobiledevice including a graphic user interface (GUI); the mobile devicereceiving a first starting point; the mobile device creating a targetarea based on the first starting point; the mobile devicemulti-dimensionally adjusting position, dimensions, and/or shape of thetarget area; the mobile device receiving customizable secondary targetinformation and modifying a perimeter and a location of the target areabased on the customizable secondary target information; and the mobiledevice automatically modifying the perimeter of the target area suchthat the target area does not extend outside of fairway boundaries orgreen boundaries.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingconfining the target area to a course feature.
 12. The method of claim10, further comprising the mobile device receiving a first shot type anda first club type and automatically positioning the target area suchthat an average point of historical performance data for the first clubtype is positioned centrally in the target area.
 13. The method of claim10, wherein shot distances for the target area are displayed via the GUIin multi-dimensional target zones having closed curve shapes.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the multi-dimensional target zones aredefined based on linear distances to the target area as well ashorizontal distances, vertical distances, or percent deviation from atarget point within the target area.
 15. The method of claim 10, whereinthe target area is created based on a club selection and/or weatherconditions.
 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising: the mobiledevice receiving a first resting ball location; the mobile devicedetermining whether the first resting ball location is within the targetarea; and if the first resting ball location is not within the targetarea, the mobile device determining a distance of the first resting balllocation from the target area and the mobile device calculating apercent error index.
 17. A system for defining at least one target forstatistical analysis of golf performance comprising: a device includinga processor and a memory for storing software thereon; the devicefurther including a Global Positioning System (GPS) component; thedevice operable to receive inputs including a first starting positionvia the GPS component and/or via manual input; the device operable tostore and retrieve player data, including historical performance datafor a course or a club, both locally and on one or more cloud hostservers; and the device operable to generate a first target area,wherein the first target area is defined based on a direction and arange of distances from the first starting position and based on playerdata stored locally or in the one or more cloud host servers.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the device is further operable to confinethe first target area to fairway boundaries, a green, and/or other golfcourse features.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the first targetarea is created based on a club selection and/or weather conditions. 20.The system of claim 17, wherein the device is further operable toreceive an input via a touchscreen including a selection of a point on agolf course and subsequently create and display the first target area ona Graphical User Interface (GUI) based on the selection of the point onthe golf course.